VA’s new K9 officer helps police make a drug bust, arrest suspect
PRESS RELEASE
December 30, 2022
Indianapolis , IN — Just after 12 p.m. Thursday, December 29, Duke, a black Labrador Retriever, on his first full week of patrol with his handler, Sergeant Ryley Mayhall, approached a suspicious vehicle passing by the front entrance of the VA Medical Center, near West 10th Street and the White River.
After the vehicle was stopped for expired license plates, the K9 locked onto a scent coming from the car. Officer Mayhall and Duke then conducted a search, which turned up 142 grams of marijuana packaged for distribution.
The female driver, whose name has not been released, was arrested by VA Police and preliminarily charged with a level five felony – dealing marijuana, B misdemeanor for drug possession and two traffic offenses. She was taken to the Marion County Jail, where she awaits a court appearance.
”He has a nose that is up to 5,000 times more sensitive than humans,”
~Officer Mayhall.
Duke has helped VA police conduct several searches since joining the VA. Police say Duke is a great a deterrent for illegal activity on the VA campus and is also raising the morale of officers and other employees due to his easy-going demeanor.
IMAGES OF THE CONFISCATED DRUGS ARE ATTACHED
VA Indiana Healthcare System treats more than 3,000 Veteran patients per day and has more than 3,200 employees at the Medical Center downtown and several community clinics in Central Indiana. Find out more about Veteran Health Care @ https://www.va.gov/indiana-health-care
Mark Turney, Public Affairs Officer
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